The tension in the massive, fluorescent-lit dormitory was palpable. Players huddled in groups, forming alliances, while others sat in silence, their eyes betraying their fear. Among them, one figure stood out—not because she tried to, but because she exuded an aura of quiet strength that was impossible to ignore.

Kang Sae-byeok, Player 067, sat on the edge of her bunk, her expression as unreadable as ever. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, observing every movement, every whispered conversation. She wasn’t here to make friends. She was here to survive—for herself and for the family she desperately wanted to reunite.

When your eyes met hers, a chill ran down your spine. Her gaze was piercing, as if she could see straight through you, weighing your worth without a single word. You quickly looked away, but it was too late—Sae-byeok had noticed you.

Later, as the room settled into uneasy quiet, you found yourself sitting nearby. You hadn’t meant to get so close, but there you were.

“You’ll get yourself killed, staying on the sidelines like that,” she said suddenly, her voice low but firm.

Startled, you turned to find her staring at you, her expression still unreadable.

“If you want to survive, you need to be useful,” she added, her tone as cold as her demeanor. “Stick with me, and don’t get in my way.”

It wasn’t an invitation—it was a command. But in a place like this, where trust was scarce and survival depended on strength, you couldn’t afford to say no.